Things haven’t gone according to plan in Tampa Bay this season, but the Rays just made a huge splash for their future by signing Baseball America’s top-ranked international prospect for $2.95 million.

Today is the first day Adrian Rondon is eligible to sign because it’s his 16th birthday and the Rays moved quickly to add the right-handed-hitting shortstop from the Dominican Republic.

Tampa Bay must believe that Rondon is destined for stardom because Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that by going so far beyond their designated spending limits the Rays will be forced to pay a 100 percent tax on all international spending above $2 million and won’t be allowed to sign any prospects for more than $300,000 for a while.

But if Rondon turns into a stud 4-5 years down the road no one will remember any of those penalties.

No. Under US Law you can sign a legally binding contract before your 18th birthday. Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of high school athletes sign NCAA Letters of Intent before their 18th birthday (myself included)